Have you ever come across the phrase "me neither" and wondered if it is correct?
Don’t worry if not, because English grammar can be perplexing, especially when it comes to subject-verb agreement and distinctions between either and neither, or the use of has and have where the correct choice often relies heavily on the context of the sentence.
In this article, we'll try to demystify verb agreement in English.
So, whether you are taking English as a second language or aiming to improve your marks, this guide is a worthwhile introduction to the precise subject verb agreement. For extra guidance, try consulting an online English tutor.
Imagine, finally knowing how to use has and have with confidence?
English Lessons for Either and Neither
In simplified terms, "either" is a way of saying "one of two options," while "neither" signifies "not either" when discussing choices.
As you can imagine, it's important to understand the definitions of both terms. Here's a summary of when to use either or neither:
- Either is used before the first of two or more options in a sentence to establish a connection with another statement.
- It can also denote two choices, options, or different individuals. Example: "Either Jake or Candice could drive to the show tonight."
- Neither is used before the first of two options in a sentence to convey that they are not true, won't happen, or aren't viable choices.
- It can also signify "not one or the other" when referring to two people or two distinct things. Example: "Neither of them could see anything further than the trees."
Both "either" and "neither" can function as determiners in a sentence.
For example: "I didn't have any chips either night when we were on holiday." In this case, "either" refers to both of the nights in question.
Things can become intricate when considering that "either" can also mean "each" in specific contexts, such as saying a footballer can play "just as well on either side of the pitch."
As a determiner, "neither" still means "not either."
For example: "Neither of the options is great" when discussing two different choices, like choosing between two desserts or starters on a menu.
While mastering "either" and "neither" might seem challenging, but sticking to some straightforward rules can help you remember how to use them properly.
Either and Neither as Adverbs
I don't know what's more difficult, life or the English language.
Jonathan Ames
An adverb is defined as a word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb.
Both either and neither can function as adverbs:
- Either is used to indicate agreement or a connection between two items or opinions. For instance: “I didn’t want to go to the play either.”
- When neither is used as an adverb, it must precede two choices to convey meaning. For example, “She felt neither happy nor unhappy about the situation.”
Either and Neither as Conjunctions
Conjunctions play a role in indicating multiple choices or possibilities in a scenario and can also be used to draw comparisons between two distinct things.
- Either is used as a conjunction to signify the presence of multiple possibilities. Example: “I will listen to either The Beatles or The Rolling Stones today.”
- Neither implies two options with the same outcome when it is used as a conjunction. Example: “Neither Manchester City nor Manchester United won in the football fixtures today.”
When using a negative conjunction, "nor" should be used instead of "or" in the middle of the sentence.
Pronunciation
The pronunciation of words can be a source of confusion. If you're learning English as a first- or second additional language, you might be curious about the correct pronunciation of the words either and neither.
Below is an indication of the pronunciation:
| Word | UK English | American English |
|---|---|---|
| Either | “AI - THUH” | “EE - THR” |
| Neither | “NAI - THUH” | “NEE - THR” |
While "either" and "neither" have relatively straightforward meanings, English grammar, of course, has exceptions that are important to be aware of when speaking and writing
Me Neither or Me Too
You're absolutely correct. "Me either" is not considered grammatically correct. The correct expressions are as follows:
- Positive agreement: "Me too." Example: "I love chocolate." - "Me too."
- Negative agreement: "Me neither." Example: "I don't like broccoli." - "Me neither."
It's important to use the appropriate phrase depending on whether you are expressing agreement or disagreement with a statement.
Understanding How to Use Has and Have
Much like who and whom or to and too, has and have are often confused.
Both has and have function as auxiliary verbs, and their correct usage depends on the context.
What's more, the subjects within a sentence help determine which form to use.
Has functions as the third-person singular form of the basic verb have.
It is used when referring to singular nouns or pronouns and indicates possession or ownership.
For example: "The bus has air conditioning."
Have is used with plural subjects such as we, you, they, plural nouns.
Have is also used when the subject is I or you in the plural sense (like "you all" or "you guys").
For example: "I have two suitcases."
Once you know who the subjects of the sentence are, which auxiliary verb to use will become clearer.
Have is the 9th most commonly used words in the English language.
To summarise:
- We use has when:
- Denoting possession, as in the example, "She has a beautiful dress."
- Discussing a third person in the singular context, or
- Referring to a single item.
- We use have in the following situations:
- When referring to yourself in a first-person context, for example, saying "I have an unreliable car."
- When referring to multiple people in the third-person plural context, like in the statement "they have a pet dog at home."
How to Use Has and Have with Other Verbs
Are you ready to uncover the nuances of the words has and have?
These words are generally associated with possession, but they take on a distinct meaning and extra complexity when connected to other verbs.
Sentences indicating possession can incorporate additional verbs which add layers of meaning to the use of has and have.
Understanding how to use has and have means that you understand possession as well as a potential need. For example, "She has to take her car to the garage by the end of the week" implies a future obligation.
Auxiliary Verbs
Also, has and have denote actions from the past when they are paired with certain verbs. This pairing helps create the "perfect present tense."
The perfect present tense is used to describe an action or event from the past with relevance to the present. To create it, you use the past participle of the verb along with either has or have. For example "I have waited so long for my favourite band to release a new album."
Trying to figure out the perfect present tense can be baffling and requires using tried-and-true learning strategies.
The key is understanding that this tense allows actions to span the past, present, and future tenses at once.
For example, your neighbour saying, "I have worked in construction for 10 years," doesn't imply that they have resigned. This action may continue in the future.
Navigating the intricacies of your English lessons can be daunting, however, mastering a few rules can empower you to use tricky terms correctly, and ensure that you are never confused by them again!
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